Authorities bust major drug network in northern New Jersey

New Jersey law enforcement agencies have busted a major drug-dealing operation that distributed drugs in northern New Jersey.

Called Operation Triple Play, officials say its mission was to stop drugs from infiltrating Passaic, Bergen and Essex counties.

Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes says that the dealers operated out of enclosed businesses like bodegas. She says that the operation brought in $60,000 worth of marijuana and $9,500 worth of heroin and cocaine weekly.

Valdes says that these enclosed drug-dealing operations are harder to disrupt.

“There are areas of Paterson where if you just drive into it, it’s what we refer to as an ‘open air market,’ where you will have dealers or distributors that will walk right up to you…and ask what you’re looking for,” she says. What I mean by enclose is…utilizing businesses. They’re…more aware of law enforcement watching them.”

Officials did not reveal the locations of the enclosed locations. But law enforcement has been seen focusing on the Route 21 corridor.